2018 Kentucky Derby Prep Races – The road to the Kentucky Derby has started
Once again it’s that time of the year that we turn our attention to the 2018 Kentucky Derby Prep Races.
Rebel Stakes and Jeff Ruby Steaks – Update 3/17/18
Magnum Moon remained undefeated by winning the Rebel Stakes in spirited finish holding off the post time favorite Solomini and a hard-charging Combatant. With the win, Magnum Moon earned 50 points in the Kentucky Derby points standings.
Blended Citizen at 6/1 odds, made an inside move down the lane and won the Jeff Ruby Steaks by a neck over a game Pony Up in a thrilling finish.
Using a tiered point system, horses are placed in designated prep races around the world. Horses earn points to qualify for the chance to be one of the 20 horses entered into the 144th running of the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Churchill Downs.
The 20 horses with the most points accumulated will earn a spot in the starting gate for “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports, The Run for the Roses”
As you can see from the chart below, the tiered points system started on 9/16/17 and will continue through 4/14/18 so there are plenty of opportunities to gain points throughout the prep races.
Don’t forget to check out the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) on February 17th at Fair Grounds, 50 points are at stake for the winner!! This is the first race a horse can earn 50 points towards the Kentucky Derby Race.
Road to the Kentucky Derby Condition Stakes – Update 3/7/18
A familiar name for those of you that live in Patriots nation won the European road to the Derby. Gronkowski won the G1 Stakes race at Kempton Park Racecourse in Surrey, England. Gronkowski finished as your winner at 3/5 odds holding off Court House at 3/1 odds.
Up next is the Patton Stakes held in Dundalk on 3/9/18. The final race in the Europeans Road will be the Burradon Stakes held in Newcastle on 3/30/18. Longshot Forest Ranger won the inaugural Burradon Stakes Race on Newcastle’s Tapeta track at 25-1 odds in 2017.
A significant note here is the European Road awards just one slot in the prestigious Kentucky Derby, so good luck to all the European entries.
Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) Stakes – Update 3/3/17
The Xpressbet Fountain of Youth (G2) Stakes race was run at Gulfstream Park on 3/3/18. Good Magic was the post time heavy favorite at 3/5 odds but a live long shot on the far outside would steal the show on this day.
Promises Fulfilled ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr. would break sharply from post position #10, clear the field and angle inside and set the pace for the race. Promises Fulfilled would lead wire to wire and gamely hold off a determined Strike Power in the final furlong to win the Fountain of Youth Stakes at 18/1 odds!!!! Good Magic finished in third.
Don’t forget to check out the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) on February 17th at Fair Grounds, 50 points are at stake for the winner!! This is the first race a horse can earn 50 points towards the Kentucky Derby Race.
Horses making a statement this past weekend (2/17/18 – 2/19/18) competing in the following races.
- El Camino Real Derby at Gloden Gate Fields was won by Paved earning 10 points
- Risen Star at Fair Grounds was won by Bravazo at an eye-opening 21-1 odds earning 50 points in the process and the current leader in the points standings
- Hyacinth at Tokyo Racecourse was won by Sumahama earning 30 points
- Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park was won by My Boy Jack at 8/1 odds earning 10 points
If you can’t be in attendance at Churchill Downs for the 144th Running of the Roses and still would like to wager on the race, there are several Online Resources that are taking wagers for the Kentucky Derby.
Before you place your wager sharpen up your skills use the tools that the Pros use for handicapping. Check out my review of the STATS Race Lens handicapping tool that TVG offers.
Stay tuned for updated results on all of the Kentucky Derby Prep Races to see who earns enough points to make a “Run for the Roses” in May.
Enjoy the Mint Juleps!!!!!!
Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Recipe
The ingredients for the Kentucky Derby Mint Julep
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- Springs a fresh mint
- Old Forester Kentucky Bourbon
- Crushed ice
This was certainly interesting. I always knew that it was necessary for a horse to win a lot of preliminaries to get into the Kentucky Derby, but I never knew there was this points system. Can I ask: Is there a certain number of points that a horse needs to accumulate? (And the first 20 horses to do so get into the KD.) Or is it simply the 20 highest points-getters by a certain date?
Hi Paul,
The current format is based on a points system and not by “Graded Earnings” as in the past. The new points systems rule change started in 2012 and is now referred to as the “Kentucky Derby Prep Races”. The top 20 point earners will earn their spot in the Kentucky Derby.
Thanks,
Alex